During one of the hardest seasons of my life, a friend cheerfully said, “Oh, you’re wintering.” I had absolutely no idea what that meant. So, I started studying. Which led to writing a song called, "Snow Covered Soil." What I discovered not only applies to soil but to people as well. When we come under the "blanket" of God's presence in a hard season, these same things happen to us. Throughout the Bible parables are taught using the framework of farming and farm life.
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.”
Isaiah 55:10
A BLANKET OF SNOW TRAPS HEAT ENERGY A blanket of snow traps heat energy and insulates the soil keeping the cold air from getting in. This blanket of snow keeps the frost layer - a layer of water that is trapped at the surface of the soil from going too deep and causing soil erosion. I've sadly witnessed people's lives become completely eroded as a result of a terribly difficult season or situation, in some cases, seemingly to the point of no return. Depression and anxiety set in and the person's life is simply never the same. There are situations and tragedies people are put in here on earth that are just unthinkable! This is life is so vulnerable and this world is so volatile. My heart goes out to those who've been through such things. I've also witnessed the peace that passes all understanding come after a person spends even the most difficult of times under a "blanket" of God's presence and glory through the trying season. I want to be very sensitive here, and not sound as if I'm judging anyone's outcome. My only intention is to encourage us all to remember that a complete surrendering to the presence and glory of God can, and will, bring unseen things to our troubled lives that will heal and uphold us in truly miraculous ways.
FROZEN WATER EXPANDS SOIL MATERIALS Frozen water in the frost layer expands and squeezes soil materials together, and then pushes the soil upward causing the ground to heave. This is good. Without the snow blanket covering the soil, the freeze can go too deep and pinch or rip the roots apart. This is bad. There is a verse that talks about how God, "the refiner" will sit by the "refiner's fire" watching the dross burn from the silver, and how "the refiner" knows just how long to leave the silver in the fire. This same principle applies here. Some difficult seasons cause us to be "squeezed" in with people, fellow citizens of America, and sometimes even family and loved ones that we don't get along with well. This squeezing, and pushing, and heaving is a thing of graduation. It is a thing that causes us to move upward, think higher thoughts, find a higher form of love, a higher form of forgiveness. And just when we think it is becoming unbearable and going to snap us in half or rip our very roots apart, there again is that "blanket" of God's presence and glory that protects us and only gives us good gifts in it all.
SOIL THAWS MORE QUICKLY IN THE SPRING Snow covered soil thaws more quickly in the spring. This is a delicate balance, and if the snow melts too soon, the frozen soil in the frost layer can not take in the needed water and again, the soil erodes, rendering it much less fertile. Another thing I've noticed is that when some surrender, and settle into God's presence and glory during an unthinkably difficult season, there's a marked difference in their transition out of time of grief and anguish, and back into the routines and rhythms of life on earth. As I've witnessed that, especially as a young adult, I've very much wanted to know how and why they could do that. Again, not to judge anyone's process or transition here, but I have found that where I have witnessed that, the person in the situation had indeed spent their time during the process in God's presence and glory.
SOIL IS FAR BETTER ABLE TO STORE WATER When the snow covers the soil long enough, that soil is far better at taking in and storing the needed water for the season ahead. If we're not careful, and if we run from God's presence in anger or bitterness or just impatience in the process, we are liable to miss the moment and become unable to take in enough needed "water" for the season ahead. Again, this life is vulnerable and this world is volatile, and God is so good to cultivate, prepare and protect us as we commit to staying, and lingering in His presence and glory. After a season like this, we become so much more fertile, and in higher and greater ways, we will bear the fruit of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
BARE SOIL IS DEFENSELESS And that's just that. Bare soil is defenseless. The LORD protects defenseless people. When I was weak, he saved me. Psalm 116:6
DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT FARMERS DO IN THE WINTER?
Well, I did so I studied that too. Some actually think they just lay around and wait for the snow to melt. Not true. They do taxes and handle land leases and feed livestock and meet with seed dealers and plan budgets for next year and fix old equipment and buy new equipment and study and research and devise new ideas and make plans for them. I need a nap just typing all that!
THIS SONG IS AN ODE TO AMERICAN FARMERS AND ALL THEY GO THROUGH FOR THE HUNGRY!!
Comments